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jmclaren
Copper Member
USA
25 Posts |
 Posted - 02/28/2009 : 20:50:09
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| I have an old Ibanez Echomachine Soundtank that has a very unreliable power switch. I have to gently depress the pedal four or five times to either turn it on or off. Does anyone know anything about the power switch on these Soundtanks? Is it PCB mounted? Replaceable? Still available? |
Edited by - jmclaren on 02/28/2009 20:51:32 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2009 : 07:32:21
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hi jmclaren
when my hand gets a bit better, i'll open one of my soundtanks up,
and have a good look for you.
but from what i can remember, it's a very small micro switch.
if you open yours up, be careful when you finally manage,
to pull the knobs off, some are very very stiff and tight,
use a piece of car inner-tube wrapped around the knobs for extra grip.
the other thing to watch out for, is the small plastic rings-bushes-grommets
whatever you want t call them, they clip into the case, directly under the knobs.
and sometimes they fall out, and roll into never to be found corners of your home...  
these bushes, help to reduce the sideways movement of the knobs when it's all together...
once you have it apart,
check if the little switch works, but gently pressing the actuator on it.
as sometimes the little rubber bit on the foot treadle wears out or falls off.
if the switch is still intermittent. when you press it with your fingers,
see if you can spray a little good quality contact cleaner into the top of the switch.
it's all much easier to do, that to write about.
keep us informed of your progress.
regards dr. bob 
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Edited by - Dr. Bob on 03/01/2009 07:34:46 |
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jmclaren
Copper Member
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2009 : 17:27:59
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Dr. Bob;
Thanks so much for your response. I don't know what happened to your hand, but I hope that it heals quickly.
Well, I was able to take it apart without losing or breakeing any parts. You're right, it has a small micro switch soldered to the board and the pedal works perfectly when I depress the actuator directly. Also, there is no rubber piece on the foot treadle or laying loosly in the pedal housing. That must be the problem. I'd imagine that a replacement will be very difficult to find. As an alternative, could I remove the switch and preplace it with a couple of jumpers for an "always on" condition? I either use a powered pedal board or a 1-Spot daisy chain, so killing batteries isn't an issue for me.
Thanks again for your advice. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2009 : 13:46:19
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hi jmclaren
just check if the plunger on the bottom of the foot treadle is able to actuate the little actuator on the micro switch.
sometimes these get misaligned, or wear out slightly, if it seems a few "mm" or "thou" short, cut a mall piece of sot rubber and glue it to the bottom of the plunger.
just check the it's not too long and pressing down too much-firmly on the little actuator on the micro switch.
also check that the solder joints on the micro switch are not cracked or have become dry solder joints.
it's not too hard to get these to work again, just be a little patient, and look before you leap.
i hope i explained myself correctly?
good luck.
keep us informed of your progress.
regards dr. bob |
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jmclaren
Copper Member
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2009 : 16:49:03
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| Thanks DR. Bob. I'll give that a try and let you know what happens. |
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Ibanez Echomachine Soundtank
